Max Verstappen emerged as the grand victor of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. After a calculated move in the first corner, he snatched the lead from Lando Norris, eventually crossing the finish line ahead of his title rival. However, the real game-changer came several hours later when both McLaren drivers were disqualified, catapulting Verstappen significantly ahead in the championship. International media are praising his latest ‘masterpiece’ and observing how he once again crushed McLaren.
“L’Équipe” headlines with “Verstappen in full swing, McLaren suffers a heavy loss”. The French observed another masterful performance by Verstappen, who breathed new life into the title fight. “As long as he has even the slightest chance of winning the title, he will not give up,” they commend the Dutchman’s perseverance. “Verstappen, who had full control when Norris re-entered the track after his failed braking action in the first corner, masterfully managed the situation. He fended off the early threat from George Russell and even fought for the fastest time in the last lap. It doesn’t earn him any points, but it always impresses. Moreover, his motivation is further fueled by the disqualification of both McLaren drivers.”
Verstappen’s Title Chances ‘Alive and Kicking’
Marca emphasizes that Verstappen has further increased the pressure on McLaren and World Championship leader Lando Norris. As both Norris and Oscar Piastri were removed from the results, the Dutchman is now only 24 World Championship points behind his British rival. “It’s Lando’s championship to lose,” the Spanish outlet judges. “The best driver in Las Vegas was undoubtedly Max Verstappen. The Dutchman secured another victory thanks to a start in which Norris made a mistake. The Red Bull driver understood the racing line better and took the lead. He outperformed everyone. This title contender, once written off, is alive and kicking.”
Norris’ Mistake Hands Verstappen Victory
“Norris blunders and hands Verstappen the victory,” headlines BILD. “Max Verstappen wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix, keeping him in the race for the World Championship. Ironically, it was his title rival Lando Norris who helped the Red Bull star to victory,” they refer to the Brit’s unfortunate defensive action. Not much later, a second message followed, this time about the double disqualification at McLaren. “A drama in Las Vegas,” write our eastern neighbors. “In the night after the Grand Prix, both McLaren drivers are disqualified by the FIA. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri lose all their points, making the fight for the World Championship even more exciting than it already was.”
McLaren’s Nightmare
“McLaren’s nightmare has finally come true,” adds La Gazzetta dello Sport. After a thrilling weekend in Las Vegas, both Norris and Piastri go home with zero points. “What should have been a positive day for Norris – who had a real chance of clinching the World Championship in Qatar thanks to his second place – turned into a complete disaster for the English driver,” concludes the Italian newspaper. “In fact, the shadow of Max Verstappen, the winner in Las Vegas, has become much more threatening for McLaren, especially with two more races and a sprint race on the schedule.”
“It was yet another masterful race, which for him has almost become routine,” the pink sports newspaper further praises Verstappen. “He crushed Norris at the start, stoically maintains his position, and consistently leads. Without him, this World Championship would have been decided long ago. He doesn’t have the best car, but he always manages to convince everyone that he is the strongest on the track.”
